Government Reiterates Commitment To Revitalization Process

Government delegation from South Sudan at the High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) for rejuvenation of the Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan have reiterated their commitment to the process despite declining to sign the Declaration of Principles Document.

11 February 2018

Delegates from South Sudan discuss during a break [Gurtong photo| Ojwe Lumara]

By Ojwe Lumara

ADDIS ABABA, 11 February 2018 [Gurtong]-Government delegation from South Sudan at the High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) for rejuvenation of the Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) have reiterated their commitment to the process despite declining to sign the Declaration of Principles (DOP) document on Friday.

In a statement released by the delegates on Saturday, the delegation said it will continue with the negotiations for peace to return to South Sudan.

“Even though the government delegation did not sign the DOP, it remains committed to the revitalization process and reiterates its unwavering determination and committed to peace and assures the people of South Sudan, the region and the international community that TGoNU will leave no stone unturned in search of sustainable and lasting peace,” reads the statement.

On Friday, all the opposition groups and other political parties signed the Declaration of Principles Agreement, which would guide the implementation of the revitalized agreement.
The government delegation said Article 28 of the Declaration of Principles which states measures against spoilers of the agreement is irrelevant.

Article 28 of the Declaration of Principles states: “IGAD shall take all necessary measures including those decided by the 28th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the IGAD Heads of State and Government of 7th November 2014 against individual violators and spoilers.”

Michael Makuei Lueth, the Government Spokesperson told journalists on Saturday that the Government’s decision does not mean that it does not want to negotiate.

“We objected to the provision of Article 28 simply that article is not a principle, it is a punitive provision and it is misplaced. We demanded that it is removed. Since others have signed it, it is up to them but we are continuing with negotiations,” Mkuei said.

He added that the government delegates appreciates and commends the commitment, dedication and timeless efforts of the mediators and facilitators without whom the forum would have not reached this far.

On the sixth day, the delegates discussed on about the Judiciary. They also discussed Article 16 about establishment the National Elections Commission and amendment of the elections, act, amendment of the political parties act, and reconstitution of the two institutions.

The discussion resumes on Monday with Chapter Two of the Agreement about security arrangement.